My car has been slowly leaking fluid out of the boot on the driver's side of the steering rack. I have an 04 and from what I can gather it's not all that uncommon.

I was wondering whether I should just get a new seal kit and boot and repair it or would I be better off replacing it? Either way I'll be doing the work myself, but I'd prefer not to spend $400+ for a new one from Delray Acura when the seal kit is like $29.

Opinions please, and if anyone has replaced their seals any tips or tricks?

 

If you replace it, replace it with a TLS rack. Do a search, there are a couple of threads discussing OEM rack vs TLS rack...

 

Yeah, that's what I was thinking if I replaced it I'd get an 08 TLS, but I was really hoping a seal kit would suffice, at least for a little while. I'm not exactly rolling in cash at the moment so I was hoping to fix it for the least amount.

 

If down time is not a problem, remove the rack and take the time to check it out and see what might be worn, hopefully just seals, but easiest:
Take a look at RockAuto for a remanufactured unit-
2 @ $128, 1 @ $172. There is a core deposit but is returned upon shipping of the used unit back.
Warranties 2yr, 3yr, and lifetime.

Use code 58706B0C3F9D33 and receive 5% off parts.

 

Thanks for the code.
Down time is not an issue my poor car is sitting parked for months now after a minor accident. Plus, on top of that I had just lost my job so I haven't been able to repair it. I'll pull the rack off and take a look at it thoroughly. However for $172 with lifetime warranty that sounds better than OEM from what I've been reading.

 

Don't know where your located, but if your trying to save money, take a look at Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market for used units.
A TL rack can be had for as little as $50 (Grade A).

 

Thanks again for the info. According to Delray's online parts store the rack part #'s are different for manuals and auto trans, but rockauto doesn't mention for any of theirs. I have a manual trans so I'd hate to order a rebuilt or salvaged from an auto that doesn't fit my manual.

Do you know if the rack's are the same?

 

Don't know what the difference might be, but the part nos. for the racks are different. Looking at the specs, both are torque sensing, variable power assisted, 15.4 ratio, 2.77 turns lock to lock, 39.7 turning circle. The A/T rack is for '04-'08, M/T '04-'06, and the TLS A/T & M/T the same.

If you go to Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market there will be a choice to make, A/T or M/T rack assemblies.

 

Thanks once again. I'll tear my rack apart first and see if I can get away with new seals. If not I'll order a used one temporarily until I can order an 08 TLS rack.

I assume it has to do with the Brembo brakes and different knuckle than the autos. I know theirs been people that have converted their autos to the Brembo's, but I cant remember if they needed a new rack or not.

 

The tie rod ends are the same as is every other part in the rack assembly, only the entire rack is different. I even checked the steering column thinking maybe the shaft out of the rack is different, but the same. Must be overlooking something, but don't know what it might be.

 

In the thread with the part #s needed to convert standard pads to the Brembo setup it doesn't mention needing a different rack though.

 

why would you have to change the rack with changing to brembos? the rack itself has nothing to do with the brakes, the only part that touches it is the outer tie rod, and the outer tie rod is the same across all TL's. if you read more closely into what turbonut said you'll find that it wasn't what you originally thought.

 

I thought the same thing, but the rack part #s are different for 6MT and auto trans.

 

its probably nothing, and certainly has nothing to do with the brakes

 

I'm sure you're correct. I just thought maybe because of the different knuckles the racks might be different.

 

Add some fuel to the fire.
Why does everyone say get a TLS rack assembly?
Checking the specs posted by Honda, the ratio, turns lock to lock, as well as the turning circle are all the same, 2004/2008, regardless of model.
Maybe someone can shed some light on the subject?

 

The only difference in part #s I can find between the components of an 04 6MT vs Auto racks is the housing valve and valve sub-assembly. Otherwise all the other part #'s are the same. Same for an 08 TLS rack only part #s that are different are the housing valve and valve sub-assembly #15 and #16 at Delray's online parts store.

Acura Parts @ AcuraOEMparts.com - Genuine Acura OEM Parts from Delray Acura

 

because the type S rack has less chance of starting a fire

 

I think I'll just rebuild mine seeing as all the evidence points to all the racks being the same.

My car hasn't started on fire yet, and I still haven't gotten the high pressure hose replaced. It's still flexible as new and I lived in FL so I definitely had high under hood temps.

FYI, I do get the sarcasm paperboy.

 

TL-S has a heavier steering feel that people like in sportier cars. IMO get a rebuild kit and go from there, it's worth a shot!

 

May be true, but as the pump is different also, this may add to the feel.
Wife purchased a new 1994 Z24 and after many years, it needed a new pump, so having access to a 1994 non Z24 Cavalier V6, I swapped the pump and the result was a completely different steering feel.

 

Yeah, I think I'll try the seal kit for $29 and see if that stops the leak. Otherwise, I still don't know what replacement rack I should go with.